Garrett College Enacts New Border Rate For PA & WV

It’s suddenly a lot more affordable for some West Virginia and Pennsylvania residents to attend Garrett College.

The comprehensive Maryland community college, quickly responding to a new state law, has enacted a border state tuition rate for the four West Virginia and two Pennsylvania counties that border Garrett County. The rate — $235 per credit hour — is a $35-per-credit-hour reduction over the out-of-state rate the college normally charges out-of-state students and applies to residents of Somerset and Fayette counties in Pennsylvania, as well as Preston, Tucker, Mineral and Grant counties in West Virginia.

Dr. Richard Midcap, Garrett College’s president, said the college is seeking to expand access to postsecondary education to the residents of the affected counties.

“While our primary mission is to serve Garrett County residents, we want to be as accessible as possible to other potential students from neighboring states,” said Dr. Midcap. “A resident of one of these counties can use this rate to save about $2,100 in tuition while earning an associate’s degree from Garrett College.”

The new state law authorizing lower tuition rates at Maryland community colleges for residents of counties contiguous to Maryland counties with community colleges was championed by Sen. George Edwards and Del. Wendell Beitzel, who represent Garrett County in their respective houses of the Maryland General Assembly.

“Garrett College greatly appreciates our legislators’ work in helping pass this legislation,” said Dr. Midcap.

Midcap noted that students from these counties don’t necessarily have to travel to McHenry to take advantage of the new rate.

“We currently have an associate degree in general studies that can be completed entirely online, and we’re looking at expanding our number of fully online programs,” he said.

Midcap said Somerset and Fayette county residents who would like to explore attending Garrett College can connect with the college’s admissions office either online (admissions@garrettcollege.edu) or by calling 301-387-3044. Potential students may also go to www.garrettcollege.edu to learn more about programs, residence housing and other areas of interest.

Students may contact the college’s office of financial aid to learn about scholarships and other aid for which they may be eligible.